Benni McCarthy has been left out of West Ham's 25-man squad for the rest of the season.

Full-back Herita Ilunga has also been omitted from the squad, which was inflated by the signing of four players during the transfer window.

Neither player can now figure in the Premier League for the remainder of the season although they are eligible for the FA Cup.

McCarthy, 33, signed for West Ham a year ago for a £2.5million fee but the striker has since made just 13 appearances for the Upton Park club and has yet to score a goal.

Robbie Keane, meanwhile, looks certain to make his West Ham debut at Blackpool tonight. The club's other new striker, Demba Ba, is likely to be on the substitutes' bench, however, as manager Avram Grant pairs Keane with Frederic Piquionne up front.

Keane is on loan from Tottenham until the end of the season with West Ham having a commitment to buy him for £6m only if they avoid relegation. "I'm not thinking about that," said Keane. "I'm here for the next few months and then I'll deal with what needs to be done."

Gary O'Neil should also make his first start since his £1m move from Middlesbrough while Denmark defender Lars Jacobsen looks likely to replace Julien Faubert at right-back.